The 36-year-old allowed for one fan to kiss her hand as she was greeted by crowds of well-wishers in the Welsh capital

Meghan has been given her first dedicated member of staff at Kensington Palace - a new female assistant private secretary. She is now being supported by blonde Amy Pickerill (right), who used to work for Royal Bank of Scotland, the Mail can reveal

Meghan was even persuaded to take a selfie by young fan Amy Thomas, 18, in the grounds of Cardiff Castle

Freelance journalist Miss Phillips said afterwards: 'She was so lovely. I said it was really lovely to have a feminist in the Royal Family and she said Harry is a feminist too.'

The couple's day in the Welsh capital had not started too promisingly, however. Their 11.15am Great Western train from London Paddington was held up by a points failure at Didcot, arriving an hour late.

As the couple shook dozens of outstretched hands, Harry, 33, said repeatedly 'Sorry we're late', while Miss Markle said 'Thank you for waiting'.

Their namesakes Megan Taylor, nine, and Harry Smith, six, presented them with a Welsh love spoon, an early wedding present from the people of Wales.

Miss Markle, who will marry Harry on May 19, said: 'Oh my goodness, wow, it's beautiful, thank you very much.'

Anne Daley asked if she would hold her hen party in Cardiff.

The beaming actress replied: 'I bet that would be a lot of fun' – before being led away by a clearly more wary Harry.

Miss Markle, 36, was given a real Welsh welcome and handed a bouquet of daffodils, a national symbol, by a young fan

Meghan Markle arrived in the city alongside her fiancé Prince Harry to tumultuous applause from adoring fans who showered the couple in hugs, handshakes and even kisses

The sought after couple are pictured making their way through crowds of eager fans in Cardiff, Wales this afternoon

While the prince declined to pose for selfies, his fiancee broke the normal rules of royal protocol – and even wrote in one schoolgirl's notebook. Members of the Royal Family do not normally give autographs.

Caitlin Clark, ten, said: 'Hi Meghan. Can you sign my book?' Miss Markle, was only too happy to oblige, but unfortunately spelt her fan's name with a K, writing 'Hi Kaitlin' and adding a heart and a smiley face.

Caitlin, however, did not seem to mind. 'I don't really care,' she said. 'My heart is still racing. I've never got a royal autograph before. This is going to make everyone jealous.

Megan McAuley, ten, held up a notice saying 'My Name is Meghan Too!!!'

It worked, as Miss Markle ran over after spotting it. 'Oh, your name's Megan? Can I call you Meg?' she asked.

Inside the castle the couple enjoyed performances of Welsh poetry and music before heading to the city's Tremorfa area, where they visited children at the Star Hub sports centre.

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Harry, who joined in, could be heard to say: 'And release, she's mine!' The couple chatted with children and played table tennis. Miss Markle also played Jenga, which involves balancing wooden blocks on top of each other, with Kevin Chiduau, 12.

She said: 'I love this game. You need so much patience for it.'

The royal couple returned to London at the end of the day – on a train that, fortunately for them, left on time.

Meghan has been given her first dedicated member of staff at Kensington Palace - a new female assistant private secretary.

She is now being supported by blonde Amy Pickerill, who used to work for Royal Bank of Scotland, the Mail can reveal.

Miss Pickerill was, until December, a member of the Kensington Palace press team.

But she has now been sequestered by Prince Harry to work as an assistant private secretary, based in his private office.

Sources said she would be ‘supporting Meghan on engagements and with her official work as part of her role’.

This will include everything from organising her diary to collecting flowers and gifts on engagements.

Her initial move to Harry’s personal team was ‘long planned’: said an aide.

Meghan Markle threw out the royal rule book as she donned a pair of black skinny jeans during her visit to Cardiff

The former Suits star even signed an autograph for a young fan as she and Harry met with well-wishers lining the streets

Meghan proved she was just as popular as her husband-to-be in Cardiff, with crowds cheering her name and swamping her in hugs during her first trip to the country.

Adoring fans queued up from 6am for a chance to get to greet the couple. June Haws, from Llandaff brought Harry and Meghan a Welsh Love Spoon made from pewter to celebrate their upcoming wedding.

The custom of carving and giving Love Spoons dates back centuries in Wales, with young men gifting them as a token of their affection.

The couple left Wales with a number of them, including one, with the initials H and M carved into it, presented by primary school pupils Harry Smith and Megan Taylor.

The bride-to-be told fans she was a 'super lucky woman' as she and Harry put on a touching display of affection while carrying out their third engagement - but apologised for being late after their train from London was delayed.

The custom of carving and giving Love Spoons dates back centuries in Wales, with young men gifting them as a token of their affection. Meghan and Harry are pictured admiring the ones they were given by fans today in Wales

Meghan-mania saw royal supporters queuing outside Cardiff Castle from 6am waiting in the biting cold for the US-born actress and her besotted prince, with some even managing to steal a hug from her as she arrived.

And playful Harry was overheard praising Welsh singing, telling his fiancée: 'You are only going to hear the best singing in Wales… at the Principality Stadium we have the best singing. People are in tune, which you can't say for most football stadiums.'

Meghan wrapped up against the biting cold in a black coat by Stella McCartney, with a 'mini venice' handbag in forest green by British leather goods company DeMellier worth £295 and trousers by the Welsh fashion house, Hiut Denim.

Sixth former Amy Thomas , 18, persuaded Meghan to pose for a selfie in the grounds of Cardiff Castle. Amy, of Groesfaen, Cardiff, said: 'She was lovely and friendly.'

Adoring fans queued up from 6am for a chance to get to greet the couple during their visit to the Welsh capital today

The royal couple are pictured speaking to Welsh fans waving their flags outside Cardiff Castle this afternoon

The couple spent half an hour chatting to wellwishers outside a rainy Cardiff Castle, before taking a further 90 minutes exploring inside

A smiling Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are pictured leaning over to shake adoring fans' hands on their visit today

A visit to Wales is not complete without sampling a Welsh cake - and that's exactly what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made sure to do during their time in Cardiff.

They were also given traditional Welsh lovespoons, listened to a Welsh love song and a Welsh poem, as well as the Welsh choir Only Boys Aloud.

The couple spent half an hour chatting to wellwishers outside a rainy Cardiff Castle, before taking a further 90 minutes exploring inside.

Their visit concluded with a Taste of Wales experience, where Harry and Ms Markle were able to enjoy slices of Welsh cheese and of course, Welsh cakes.

Ms Markle herself showcased Welsh manufacturing, with her trousers by Hiut Denim, made in Cardigan, Ceredigion, west Wales.